22nd Nov, 2006 0:00

The Pavilion Gardens

 
  Lot 75
 
Lot 75 - 1950 Bentley MK VI Park Ward Drophead Coupe

1950 Bentley MK VI Park Ward Drophead Coupe

Sold for £46,125

(including buyers premium)


Lot details
Registration No: T.B.A.
Chassis No: BS35FU
Mot Expiry: Nov 2007

Introduced in 1946, the MKVI was Bentley's first post-war model. Aimed at the emerging 'owner-driver' luxury car market, it was closely based on the 1939 MKV (of which only fifteen were produced). Built around a massive cruciform braced chassis with independent front suspension and a leaf-sprung 'live' rear axle, it was fitted with a freshly developed 4257cc oise straight six engine mated to a four-speed manual gearbox. Capable of over 100mph when clad in the factory's understated 'standard steel saloon' coachwork, the MKVI quickly developed a reputation as a well-appointed, spacious sports saloon. However, despite the excellence of the 'basic' car, there remained a core of Bentley enthusiasts who found its styling too anonymous.
One of only 832 4.25 litre MKVIs reputedly fitted with coachbuilt bodies, this wonderfully elegant two-door drophead coupe is the work of Park Ward. Finished in blue over silver with blue leather upholstery, chassis 'B535 FU' is variously described by the vendor as being in "OK" (chassis, wheels / tyres), "good" (4257cc engine, four-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim), "very good" (bodywork) or "excellent" (paintwork) condition. First registered in Yorkshire (or so its number plate would imply), the Bentley has only just returned from an extended stay on the other side of the Atlantic. A singularly handsome design, the four-seater's voluptuous wings, cut-away rear spats and muted two-tone livery are offset by whitewall tyres. Said to have been recently resprayed, chassis 'B535 FU' sports a centre-mounted spotlight and auxiliary driving lights. Undeniably stylish, it is hoped that this appealing post-WW2 Bentley drophead coupe will possess a new MOT certificate by the time of sale.

PLEASE NOTE: The vendor has kindly informed us of the following information since the catalogue went to press:

First owner: A. J. Brown 1950

Sold by Frank Dale & Stepsons in 1977 to:
H. O. Sieffert (Lumber Co.)
4112 West Kimberely Road
DAVENPORT Iowa 52808 USA

Sold by H. O. Sieffert in about 1986 to:
John Matthews
Sedgwick
Maine
04676

"John Matthews was a good friend of mine. We spoke every month on the telephone. He was the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra's resident double bass player for many years before his retirement. This Bentley Park Ward 'drophead' was the love and passion of his life for almost twenty years. Whatever it needed was spent keeping the car in fine fettle. I have workshop bills for $61,000 (copies of which may be inspected in the H&H Documents' Office).

John's wish was for the Bentley to 'come home' and his Trustees asked me to handle the sale. I collected it from the shippers on November 14th 2006. She started immediately and ran perfectly. Good oil pressure and no overheating. Excellent crisp gearbox and a very good brake pedal. The only slight rattle is in the passenger's door. I drove her for 30 miles to the MOT station and she handled very well too.

Chassis B535FU now has a MOT certificate valid until November 2007. The original log book was not found in John's papers so I have made an application to DVLA Swansea for a new V5C registration document to be issued. The 'JWX 670' file is being handled by Lisa Morgan, Dept. VC10 D6 at Swansea SA99 1ZZ.

'JWX 670' is mentioned in the excellent 'BENTLEY, The Cars from Crewe' book by Rodney Steel".
 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 22nd Nov, 2006

View all lots in this sale

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Cars from the 1910s to the 2010s head to auction for Buxton sale
H&H’s motorcycle sales off to a flying start in 2024 with market-leading 88 percent sales rate
Turning the Page: A New Chapter for H&H Classics
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Classic car owners handed ULEZ lifeline
H&H Classics auction Hurricane X-75 Prototype to National Motorcycle Museum
Vintage and modern classics lead the way at latest H&H sale
H&H offers exceptional range of vehicles spanning 11 individual decades
Pavilion Gardens. Wednesday 26th July 2023
A whimsical blast from the past: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang recreation heads to auction
From Italy with love: auction showcasing the essence of Italian design and sprezzatura
250 Motorcycles & Vintage Scooters Set To Go Under The Hammer!
March of the Mods: Lambretta owned by Paul Weller heads to auction
Lawbreakers to law enforcers: historic scooters with infamous connections up for sale
Jaguar SS100 among £2¼  million worth of classics sold at the Imperial War Museum
British classics to shine at H&H Classics’ sale
Historic Guinness Collection heads to auction
Browse The Catalogue Now! 135 Classic & Performance Cars To Go Under The Hammer.
Robbie Savage’s Ferrari F430 to be sold at H&H Classics
RAC Rally winning ‘Jaguar’ to be sold at auction
Former MP’s Bentley and Facel Vega ‘garage find’ among £1.3m worth of classics hammered away by H&H
Pavilion Gardens, Buxton Auction Preview Video
Genuine ‘matching numbers’ 1967 Shelby GT500 Fastback among 89 strong classic car auction
Rare Facel Vega ‘garage find’ heads to auction
Indian 4 and Lambretta DL200
Golden opportunity to acquire famous limited edition Italjet scooter
H&H Classics commences landmark year with sale of 121 cars
‘Brand new’ Porsche 911 heading to auction after 21 years
Brooklands race winning Bentley to go under the hammer
Actor, Sir Michael Caine’s first car, heads to auction. £100,000 - £150,000